Breastfeeding with Style and Ease

To say that I love fashion is an understatement. I mean, I’ve made it my career. Pre-baby, I could scour the web for hours looking for things to add to my “collection”, from designer must-haves to fast fashion trend pieces, I loved it all. Now that I have this little one in my life (he’s two months old and a milk monster!), I have a new requirement for everything that gets added to my closet, namely, “Can I breastfeed in that?”.

Back then, functionality played second fiddle to aesthetics, but no longer can I wear something just because it’s pretty – it has to be easy access for breastfeeding as well! Struggling out of an ensemble with a screaming starving infant by your side is the epitome of démodé. But looking less than chic is also not an option. Sure, there are pro-moms who can be breastfeeding in couture, but right now I’m just happy to look moderately stylish and not get thrown up on. Here are a few easy access breastfeeding-friendly ensembles that still have style to spare.

Loose Tops: When it comes to feeding on the go, I’ve found that boxy tops are my favorite go-to. Not only are they comfortable, they also do double duty as a nursing cover with minimal fumbling. Unclip your bra and haul the little milk monster underneath for a snack.

Button Downs: While these do require a bit more maneuvering, button down tops offer a polished look that more flowy things don’t. The buttons are easy access and if you’re wearing a maternity bra with clips, you can avoid flashing the world your boobs and satiate your little one before he can let out a cry for milk.

Easy Access Tie Tops and Dresses: With tops that tie at the shoulder, it’s as easy as 1-2-3 to feed your wailing infant. Sure, a breastfeeding/nursing cover is required (or not if that’s how you roll, more power to you #freethenipple), but you literally cover, untie, and go.

Wrap Dresses: Nursing mommas aren’t limited to top and bottom combos, although dresses do prove a bit trickier. The top part of the dress has to be accessible since bottom access isn’t an option (imagine that in a maxi dress, you know you want to). Wrap dresses however are easy as pie. Just undo, and you have all the access you need. Ideally you’d find a dress that can wrap both ways, or you could McGuyver one in a cinch (now how many kids won’t get that reference?).

Shirt Dresses: Any dress with buttons relatively far down the bodice is fair game and works just as well as a shirt when it comes to breastfeeding. See button down shirts above for reference.